Can-opener



- (No Model.)

E. H. TRENGHARD.

CAN OPENER.

Patented Dec. 31, 1895.

O-UTNQWASHINGTDKDC UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELVIN H. TRENOHARD, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,212, dated December31, 1895.

Application filed December 11, 1894.. Serial No. 531,509. (No model.) I

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELVIN I-I. TRENCHARD, of the city of Philadelphia,State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inCan-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

My improvements relate to the introduction of, first, a curved knifeco-operating with a convex cutting-edge second, a knife-carrier pivotedto the center of the can for the purpose of carrying the knife in acircle without the effort of guiding. I attain these objects by themechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1is a top view of the knife-carrier, the outer edge B, to which the knifeis fastened, being a segment of a circle. Fig. 2 is an end view of thedevice, showing the knifeblade T pivoted to the curved portion B ofknife-carrier and having the same curve.- Fig. 3 is a side view of thecan-opener complete with one end of the knife-carrier resting betweentwo washers R R, with an awl E passing through the center forming apivot, the awl E having a point H extending half an inch below for thepurpose of puncturing the can lid in the center in order to carry theknife-blade T in a circle.

Similar letters refer to similar parts through out the several views. 7

A is the side of the knife-carrier, (3 being the knife-handle.

The objects of my invention are, first, to adopt a method whereby theleast possible pressure will be required to make an incision in thecan-lid; second, to overcome all possible resistance in placing theknife in proper position for the next out after it has ,made anincision; third, to entirely relieve the operator from the effort ofguiding the knife in a circle around the can. These objects I gain,first, by having the knife pivoted close to the keen cutting-edge;second, by making a knife-carrier, as shown in Fig. 1, the outer edge Bdescribing a three-and-a-halfinch circle, (size of smallest can-lid,)there being a keen cutting-edge of steel where the knife has contact. Tothis outer edge B a knife-blade with the same curve is pivoted, theyholding the same relation to each other as the two blades of a pair ofshears, the

curved blade offering the slightest possible resistance as it movesthrough the incision in the can-lid. The third object I attain bypivoting the other end of the knife-carrier between the washersR B, Fig.3, and pivoting them together by the awl E, Fig. 3, and forcing thepoint H through the center of the canlid. The knife-carrier is free torevolve and it takes but a slight pressure forward to carry it and theknife in a circle, making each incision a part of a true circle withoutthe slightest effort of guiding on the part of the operator.

I am aware that prior to my invention canopeners have been made invarious ways. Therefore WhatI claim, and wish to secure by LettersPatent, is

1. In a can opener, the combination with an awl or point adapted to beinserted in the can, of a frame pivoted to the awl and a knifeco-operating with a cutting edge on the frame, substantially as and forthe purpose specified.

2. In a can opener, the combination with a handle carrying an awl orpoint, of a frame so connected to said handle as to be swung thereon,and a curved knife pivoted to the forward part of said frame andcooperating with a cutting edge thereon, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

3. In a can opener, the combination with an awl or point for puncturingthe can lid, of a frame pivoted between washers thereon a convex cuttingedge carried by said frame and a curved knife pivoted to the cuttingedge substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ELVIN H. TRENCHARD.

Witnesses:

J. R. MAssEY, M. A. J ones.

